ALCS Game 3 betting preview: Astros vs. Yankees

Gerrit Cole has been nearly untouchable for the Astros for most of the season, and he'll take the hill in the Bronx on Tuesday afternoon against Luis Severino and the Yankees in a pivotal Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

Cole hasn't lost a start since May 22 (he's 16-0 in 22 starts since) and has registered 11 double-digit strikeout outings in a row, including two ALDS efforts against Tampa Bay. He allowed just one earned run to the Rays in 15 2/3 innings of work in that series. Cole is backed by a Houston bullpen that put up 4 1/3 scoreless innings against New York's potent lineup in Game 2 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park.

Severino, who has made just four appearances in 2019 following offseason surgery and numerous rehab setbacks, has been sharp since he was activated from the IL (two earned runs over 16 innings). That includes four shutout innings against the Twins in the decisive Game 3 of the ALDS. However, the Dominican native will likely be on a tight leash held by manager Aaron Boone, whose decision to remove James Paxton in the third inning of Game 2 ultimately backfired. The Yankees bullpen will be required to get a big chunk of the outs in this contest. As fans and bettors saw in Game 2, New York is vulnerable to the Astros' high-octane offense unless Boone makes all the right moves at all the right times.

Houston's lineup has been running hot and cold in the postseason, but it is still extremely deep. Outfielder George Springer and shortstop Carlos Correa had been quiet for most of the playoffs but woke up in a big way with home runs on Sunday night, including the latter's game-winning home run off J.A. Happ. Expect the Astros to prevail in a tense Tuesday-afternoon affair.

MLB free play: Astros moneyline